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What every driver should know about headlights

On Behalf of | Mar 23, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Most of us don’t worry too much about our headlights. We just expect that when we flick a switch, the lights will automatically turn on and illuminate the road. They also make it far easier for other drivers and pedestrians to see your vehicle. After dark and in bad weather, they greatly facilitate safe driving.

But how critical are headlights in preventing collisions? Does their quality differ or are all headlights basically the same? The answer to the first question is extremely, the IIHS concluded. The answer to the second question is yes.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety investigated this issue

The IIHS study examined 44,000-night crashes involving one vehicle. Headlights that earned high IIHS ratings cut down accidents resulting in injuries to drivers by almost one-third, or 29%. They also found that cars with headlights rated high made crashes less likely to happen by 19%. 

Manufacturers are paying more attention to headlights

Headlights have recently been accorded more scrutiny by automakers, which led to important upgrades. For example:

  • Illumination distance for low beams went from to 200 feet from 180
  • “Headlight glare has also been reduced from 15% above IIHS’ acceptable threshold in 2016 to 10% below the threshold in 2020.”
  • The percentage of headlights rated highly by the IIHS has increased to 29% (from 4%)

You can enhance your headlights’ performance

There are a couple of simple measures to take to get the most out of your headlights:

  • Be sure your headlights are not aimed way up or way down. Ask an automotive professional if you have difficulty adjusting them yourself.
  • Headlights tend to get caked with dirt. Wipe them periodically with a soft cloth to remove it. Do likewise for the windshield.

Keeping your headlights well-maintained and knowing how to properly use them is vital to safe nighttime driving — but not every driver understand this. You risk being injured if another driver has damaged or faulty headlights or if they failed to turn them on at the appropriate time. 

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